In remarks to news outlets published Saturday, Murphy said the tribute would address the death of Finn, the character Monteith played on the Fox network high school musical series. That show will be the season's third episode, following two episodes that had already been written.

Then the series will go on a hiatus to reassess its direction, Murphy said.

The body of 31-year-old Monteith was found last weekend in a Vancouver, British Columbia, hotel room. Tests showed he died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.

On "Glee" he played high school quarterback and glee club member Finn Hudson, who had graduated and moved on to college but was an adviser to his old club and remained part of the show.

Finn also had an off-and-on romance with fellow student and singer Rachel, played by his real-life girlfriend Lea Michele.

Monteith had been candid about his struggles with addiction, which included a rehab stint several months before his death.

Murphy said he had helped stage an intervention in his office for Monteith last March.

"He wanted to continue working and we said, 'That's not an option. No. The TV show doesn't matter, your life matters,'" Murphy told the Eonline website. Monteith's rehab began soon thereafter.

Murphy also spoke with Deadline, the Hollywood Reporter and TV Line.

On Friday, Fox announced the series would return for its fifth season on Sept. 26, a week later than originally scheduled.